Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-01

~ :.iSS.E
ONWARD SHE DASHED.
lying there were only hshing-smacks, all
belonging to the village. No strange vessel
was seen along the coast recently-certain-
ly during that day.
Lydia realized that the search was hope.
less.
The abductors might have gone TO st.
Malo; or they might have taken the opposite
road leading along the western coast. Ger
tain it was that men who so cleverly
planned and so slillfully concealed their
plans would by this time have made good
their escape.
1t was now long after nine o'clock, and
Lydia's carriage had arrived. All she could
l. vas to 60 back. so sic Wrote hurried
noto to the head Of the police department al
St. Malo, and another to the chief police Of
fetal at ST. Brieux, stating clearly and con
cisely all she knew about the matter; giving
descriptions Of tho stranger, tho hunter
and the Princess herself, and setting forth
her own views Of tho matter
These notes were Immediately dispatched
post-haste to both cities, while Lydia re
turned home.
Passing once moro through the village Of
Y, she found the place ablazo with oxcito-
ment. Around tho inn was gathered large
crowd. Baudray, the landlord, saw Lydia's
carriage driving by, and ran out toward it,
holding an envelope in his outstretched
hand.
Said he:
"My little girl has number of pet doves,
which she always shuts up in the dove-cotc
at night. She missed one this morning, and
| thought It had been killed; but few mo-
ments ago she heard a tapping at her cham
Der window, which looks over the roof OF
the porch. 1t was the lost Bahia fluttering
at tho window-panc, and apparently ex-
hausted. This little note was fastened to
the bird. 1t is addressed to Chateau Dor
Lydia tore it open. 1t ran thus:
"Agrceable to our promise, we send the
first message Naturally, the Princess was
somewhat alarmed at the outset, but has
quito recovered from the shock, and, al
though failing TO discover why she should be
held in durance vile, is reasonably happy
and perfectly well, as hearty meal she
has just completed, can testify. More
anon"
If not so worried about her friend, Lydia
would have laughed outright Tho idea Of
purloining Princess, and afterwards send.
ing comforting notes in this ohatty, conf
Dental manner was extremely absurd and
well-nigh incredible However, here was
the note, and no doubt Natalie was safe.
Lydia breathed more freely and actually
| began TO almost enjoy the novelty Of tho
situation. She felt inclined to lie on her
oars, as it were, and await tho next devel-
opment in the case.
"Who could have stolen the pigeonln
asked she of Baudray. "Who has gone
away from the limit
"My only guests who have left are Mon
sieur Fairfax and Monsieur Oxford and his
valet. Monsieur Fairfax left two days ago,
and sailed from Havre to America yester-
day. Monsieur Oxford and his valet left
last night, and after they had gone, my
little ono counted her birds and locksd them
securely in tho dove-cote. They were all
right in number last night, and this morn
ing tho door was still locked; but yet ono
was gone"
The mystery began to deepen.
(Ah, clever Fairfax Observing that an
ordinary paddock secured the door of the
dove-cote, on the morning after tho ball at
the Marchioness', when no arose so carly,
he experimental, with his bunch Of keys up
on the lock, and found one that would I'M
lock it. Driving through tho village with
Dick two nights afterward, he paused be-
fore the inn, and requested Dick 10 hold the
reins moment Richard, now having
learned to acquicsce, did as he was told,
and asked no questions. jean, the watch
dog, was inclined to bark, but recognizing
Fairfax voice, approached the latter, wag-
ging his tail propitiously. From a capacious
coat pocket Fairfax produced little basket,
and, unlocking the door Of the dovo-cOte,
quickly seized the first inmate upon which
he could lay hands, and thrust 1t into tho
basket. Jean looked on with interest, i'm
agining it might prove meal for
him. Fairfax flung him some tid-bit from
his pocket; the dog took it, and lay down
contentedly to cat it, Every ono was asleep,
and the pair departed as they cane-unob-
served.
Lydia drove toward the chateau once
more, and for the first time became aware
OF the fact that she was extremely hungry,
having eaten no dinner.
Over a hastily-prepared tea, she and
Madame X. discussed the situation, and
both came to the conclusion that there was
really nothing to be done,
Meanwhile, the surrounding gentry-who
had but Just heard the nows-from all
sides were beginning to flock towards the
chateau. The two ladies' found themselves
holding an impromptu sofreo,
By virtue Of his age and Natalie's friend
ship for him, the old Marquis was spokes-
man of tho party, and, although there were
as many opinions as people present, he,
after perusing the several notes, and learn
ing every thing from Lydia, succeeded in
convincing all assembled that nothing could
be done, and that Natalie would, undoubt-
eddy, receive no harm.
The mystery surrounding the affair still
afforded ample topic for conversation, and
It was not until long after midnight that
the extemporaneous gathering was broken
up.
What remained now was to place the
matter in the hands of the detectives and
to notify the parents Of Natalie.